- tech360.tv
Remini: The Hottest AI Photo Enhancer Surpasses TikTok’s sister platform Douyin in China
Remini, an AI photo enhancer, has become the hottest app in China, surpassing Douyin. The app's unique features include unblurring old photos and transforming portraits into clay sculptures. Remini topped China's free app rankings on Apple's App Store.
Remini, the same app that gained popularity in the US last year for its ability to generate images of what a couple's child could look like, has taken the Chinese market by storm.
With its unique features, Remini has captured the attention of Chinese users who are rushing to try out its capabilities. The app can unblur old photos and, most notably, transform a portrait into a stunning clay sculpture. This innovative functionality has propelled Remini to the top of China's free app rankings on Apple's App Store.
According to Data.ai, Remini secured the first spot for downloads in the seven-day period from April 30 to May 6, surpassing even Douyin Lite, a sister platform of the popular TikTok app, which ranked third. In the previous week, Remini was barely on the radar, sitting at a lowly 255th position.
While it's challenging to determine Remini's popularity among Android users in China due to its availability only on Google Play, there are numerous online tutorials guiding users on how to install the app via Google Play or using an APK file. This has contributed to the growing demand for Remini among Chinese users.
The recent surge in Remini's popularity can be attributed to China's five-day Labour Day holiday, during which netizens shared an abundance of photos from their trips. The app's clay-style pictures began flooding local social media platforms, including WeChat and Weibo, captivating users with their unique aesthetic.
Experts have pointed out that the app's popularity stems from the "ugly and cute" clay filter, which adds a distinctive charm to the photos. Additionally, Remini offers its generative AI technology at a relatively fair price, making it an attractive choice for users.
After a seven-day free trial, Remini users are required to pay a minimum of 8 yuan (US$1.1) to continue using the app. For access to more advanced features like the clay effect, users can opt for a weekly subscription priced at 68 yuan.
Interestingly, a grey market has emerged on Xianyu, Alibaba Group Holding's second-hand online marketplace, where merchants offer photo editing services using their paid Remini accounts at a fraction of the subscription cost. This highlights the app's widespread appeal and the demand for its unique editing capabilities.
However, it remains uncertain whether Remini's momentum will sustain once the free trial period ends for most users. In the past, other photo apps like ZAO and Miaoya experienced a similar initial boom but quickly faded into obscurity.
Remini, originally developed by Beijing-based start-up Caldron, is now owned by Milan-based Bending Spoons, following its acquisition in 2021. Caldron's CEO, Huang Shuo, explained that the decision to sell was driven by their team's focus on engineering rather than marketing. The acquisition has allowed Remini to reach new heights and expand its user base globally.
In 2023, Remini gained viral popularity in the US and other Western markets after introducing a feature that generated photos predicting what a couple's child could look like.
Remini, an AI photo enhancer, has become the hottest app in China, surpassing Douyin.
The app's unique features include unblurring old photos and transforming portraits into clay sculptures.
Remini topped China's free app rankings on Apple's App Store.
Source: SCMP